Bioactive sulfones

ABSTRACT

A method of preventing the growth of microorganisms by contacting the microorganisms with a bioactive compound which may be described by one of the following formulas:

United States Patent [191 Richter 111 3,821,399 June 28, 1974 BIOACTIVE SULFONES [75] Inventor: Sven U.K.A. Richter, Stocksund,

Sweden [73] Assignee: Sanitized, Incorporated, New York,

[22] Filed: Feb. 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 228,410

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 844,176, July 23, 1969, abandoned, which is a continuation-inpart of Ser. No. 545,835, April 28, 1966, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl 424/304, 424/314, 424/324 [51] Int. Cl A0ln 9/20 [58] Field of Search 424/337, 320, 304, 324,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1957 Westfahl 260/558 X 12/1964 Heininger et a]. 424/304 Primary ExaminerAlbert T. Meyers Assistant Examiner-Dale R. Ore

Attorney, Agent, or Firml-lubbell, Cohen & Stiefel [5 7] ABSTRACT A method of preventing the growth of microorganisms by contacting the microorganisms with a bioactive compound which may be described by one of the following formulas:

14 Claims, No Drawings BIOACTIVE SULFONES This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 844,176 filed July 23, 1969 and now abandoned, which application was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 545,835 filed Apr. 28, 1966 and also now abandoned.

BACKGROUND This invention relates to chemical compounds generally designated as a,B-unsaturated sulfones and in particular to certain substituted arenesulfonylacrylic acid derivates which exhibit unusual bioactive characteristics.

While some arenesulfonylalkene nitriles are known to possess characteristics which aid in the control of microorganisms, as demonstrated in US. Pat. No. 3,159,532 to Heininger el al. I have discovered new unsaturated sulfones which possess as good as, and in some cases far superior biocidal and biostatic activity than those heretofore synthesized.

In a copending application entitled Method of Producing Unsaturated Sulfones, Ser. No. 815,220, filed Apr. 10, 1969, now US. Pat. No. 3,541,119 granted Nov. 17, 1970, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 516,770, filed Dec. 27, 1965, now abandoned, in which I am a joint inventor, there is disclosed a novel one-step reaction for preparing unsaturated sulfones including those of this invention, as well as for preparing the unsaturated sulfones of the Heininger Patent given above. In preparing unsaturated sulfones by this one-step method, I unexpectedly found certain novel compounds embodying this invention and discovered they had surprisingly good bioactive properties. Such bioactive properties include bactericidal and fungicidal, properties. The presence of these bioactive properties allows the sulfones of this invention to be used to great advantage in the protection of organic materials from microbial attack.

Another area of important use lies in their ability to be employed as disinfectants and antimicrobials in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and medical preparations.

A further field of use of the compounds of the invention arises in agricultural applications. For example, the compounds may be used for treating plant life and soil for control of infestation and infection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION in which X is a member of the group consisting of CN, -CONH COOR, SO R, --SO R, NO and -COR; R is a member of the group consisting of amino, acylamido and nitro. and R is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl; and

c. R -SO CH Cl-1CONH wherein R designates alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl,cyc1oalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl and heterocyclic groups.

Synthesis of the compounds of the invention is thoroughly described in my copending application, mentioned above. As disclosed therein these compounds are prepared in a simple one-step reaction which comprises contacting a vicinal dihalogenide with an appropriate sulfinatc compound in the presence of added alkaline material in a liquid reaction medium.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Particularly speaking, the compounds embodying this invention are substituted arenesulfonylacrylic acid derivatives, and more particularly, substituted arenesulfonylacrylonitriles and acrylamides.

Some of the novel compounds of the substituted arenesulfonylacrylonitrile type are as follows: acetamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitriles, propionamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitriles,- butyramidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitriles, aminobenzenesulfonylacrylonitriles, etc. It should be noted, that the preceding examples are given in general form. This is so as it is felt that the possible isomers of the various acrylonitrile compounds listed may very well be equally as reactive.

Examples of the novel acrylamides of my invention are: 3-(4-methylbenzenesulfonyl) acrylamide, 3-(4-ethylbenzenesulfonyl) acrylamide, 3-(4- acetamidobenzenesulfonyl) acrylamide, 3-(4-propionamidobenzenesulfonyl) acrylamide, 3-(4- chlorobenzenesulfonyl) acrylamide 3-( 4- bromobenzenesulfonyl) acrylamide, 3-( 4- nitrobenzenesulfonyl) acrylamide, 3-( 4- aminobenzenesulfonyl) acrylamide, etc.

EXAMPLE I This is an example of the preparation of 3-(4 acetamidobenzenesulfonyl) acrylonitrile. Approximately 0.4 moles of sodium pacetamidobenzenesulfinate dissolved in 300 ml of methanol and 250 ml of water were charged to a reaction flask. To this solution, 0.8 moles of potassium acetate were added and when this had dissolved, 0.4 moles of 2,3-dichloropropionitn'le were added with stirring. The reaction was allowed to continue with stirring for 2- /z hours at room temperature, whereupon the reaction mixture was poured into 1.5 l of cold water. The separated solid was then filtered and washed with water and then with methanol. After a drying period, 56 g of 3-(4-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl)acrylonitrile, identified by infrared spectrum, was obtained having a melting point of 272-276C.

EXAMPLE 11 This is an example of the preparation of 3(4- aminobenzenesulfonyl) acrylonitrile. Approximately 126 g of crude 3-( 4-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl) acrylonitrile, prepared as described in Example I, was mixed with 113.5-ml of 36% l-lCl, 455 ml of Synasol denatured ethanol, and 455 ml of water, and refluxed for l 1 hours. Next, the mixture was neutralized with 1570 g of aqueous 10% NaHCO solution to a pH slightly over 7. The resulting precipitate of p-aminobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile was filtered, washed, and finally dried overnight on a vacuum filter. This produced 120 g of an orange-yellow powder having a melting point of l44l48C.

EXAMPLE III This is an example of the preparation of 3-(ptoluencsulfonyl) acrylamide. A reaction flask was charged with 0.] moles of sodium p-toluenesulfinate and 0.2 moles of sodium acetate stirred into 100 ml of H) tubes and the growth classes are indicated by:

methanol. Next a solution of 0.1 moles of 2,3- dichloropropionamide in ml of methanol and ml of acetone were added dropwise over 40 minutes to the sulfinate solution. The reaction mixture was allowed to concentration required. To each tube was then added 1 ml of uniformly dried and prepared soil from a food source for the mixture or organisms originating from the soil. For comparison, a well known fungicide, namely, Spergontetrachloropara-benzoquinone pro duced by the Naugatuck Chemical Company was also tested as was the pre-mix alone and a check. The results are reflected in the following chart wherein the extent of growth is evidenced by turbidity in the various 0 no growth 1 slight trace of growth 2 slight growth 3 moderate growth water in portions. After drying 7.1 g of a solid melting at 177.5 180C was obtained. This was followed by extracting the washings with chloroform, and after recrystallization from a methanol-chloroform solution, an additional 3.3 g of a solid with a melting point of 183 183.5C was obtained. The solid was identified by infrared spectrum as 3-(p-toluenesulfonyl) acrylamide.

EXAMPLE IV As an example of the general biocidal effects of the new compounds of the invention, the product of Example II, namely, aminobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile, was used in the Soil Inoculum Broth Culture Technique to determine the antifungal and antibacterial activity of the chemicals of the invention. In this test a 50 percent wettable powder compound of 50 percent by weight of aminobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile and 50 percent by weight of a typical pre-mix such as the following composition:

92 percent by weight of a dispersing powder such as Hi-SI-I 233, which is a white, precipitated hydrated silica having an average particle size of .022 microns produced by the Columbia-Southern Chemical Corp.;

4 percent of a dispersing agent such as Maraperse N,

which is a hetro-disperse polymer of a lignosulfonate compound having a molecular weight between 1,000 and 20,000 produced by the Marathon Corp., Chemical Division; and 4% of a surfactant such as Pluronic L61 which is an ethylene oxide-polypropylene glycol condensation compound having an average molecular weight of 2,000 produced by the Wyandotte Chemicals Corp., Michigan Alkali Division,

was measured into 10 ml quantities into test tubes containing sufficient nutrient broth to give the final stir for 40 hours whereupon the solids in the solution 15 4 heavy growth were separated by filtration and washed with 250 ml of 5 very heavy growth Turbidity Index After Dose Chemical Parts Per Million 48 hrs. 96 hrs. 144 hrs.

1. Aminobenzene 5,000 0 l 2 sulfonylacrylo- 500 1 1.5 3 nitrile 50 1.5 4.5 4.5 2. Spergon 5000 3 4 4 500 4 4 4.5 50 5 5 5 3. Pre-mix 5000 5 5 5 500 5 5 5 5O 5 5 5 4. Check 5 5 5 It will be observed that in this test, the aminobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile gives markedly superior results to the known fungicide Spergon.

EXAMPLE V This example deals with a further fungicidal evaluation in that it is a measure of the degree of disease control of the compounds of the invention. In this Example, the Pea Seed Protectant Test is used in Pythium infested soil and also in vermiculite in the absence of the disease in order to measure the effect of the compounds on the seed itself. In other words, the latter is a measurement of the potential phytotoxicity of the compounds. For comparison, the products of Examples I, II and III are compared to Captan a well known fungicide for the control of plant diseases.

In this test, the products of Examples 1, II, and III, acetamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile, aminobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile and 3-(p-toluenesulfonyl) acrylamide respectively, were prepared in 50 percent wettable powders by using the pre-mix composition described in Example IV. These samples were then extended to 25 percent dust preparations by the addition of Continental Clay for better adherence to the seed coat. Next, a predetermined amount of pea seeds of the variety Thomas Laxton were treated at a dose of 4 oz.- /bushel based upon technical material. Treatment was accomplished by adding the required amount of chemical to the seed and then tumbling the two together until the seeds were uniformly and evenly coated.

Following the accepted Rolled Towel Procedure, two sheets of paper towel were first wetted by immersion in water. Next, heavily Pythium infested soil was spread over the towels to a depth of about one-fourth inch. At' this point 25 treated seeds were uniformly distributed over the soil and a final thin layer of Pythium soil distributed over the seeds. A third wet towel was placed on top and the whole roll rolled into what is termed a doll. Three dolls constituting three replicates were prepared per treatment per chemical tested, including dolls of Captan as the standard, dolls" of the premix alone, dolls containing the vermiculite and dolls of untreated seeds in infested soil as a check. In each case, the dolls were placed in aluminum containers and held at 45 50F for four days, removed from the containers and kept at room temperature for an additional three to five days to permit germination of the seeds. The following table reflects the results of It will be noted from the above table that the acetamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile and the aminobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile were approximately 30-80 percent more effective than Captan as regards disease control in seeds, and did not retard to any substantial degree the seed germination.

EXAMPLE VI This example is presented to demonstrate the fungicidal effect of 3-(4-aminobenzenesulfonyl) acrylonitrile against wood destroying fungi.

3-(4-aminobenzenesulfonyl) acrylonitrile was dissolved in acetone and the solution was added under strong agitation to nutrient agar in amounts to give final concentrations of active material in the agar plates made from the solutions of 1000, I00, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, l, 0.1, and parts per million.

The plates were inoculated with mycelium from different fungi. After -7 days the growth of the mycelium was measured. The plates where no growth occurred were left for another days and again checked for growth. For comparison tests with the two well-known fungicidal substances, sodium pentachlorophenate (PCP) and hydroxyquinoline (I-IOQ) were made. The following table shows the results that were obtained.

Fungus Inhibiting concentration in ppm 7 3-(4aminobenze nesulfonyl) EXAMPLE VII Various compounds of the present invention having the following general formula:

were tested to determine their minimum inhibition concentration in regard to Staphylococcus aureus 209. The test procedure is as follows:

A one percent solution of the pure compound (0.01 gm/ml) was made in acetone, acetonitrile or N,N-dimethylformamide depending on the solubility of particular compound. This solution was then diluted with acetone until the concentration of the solution was about 9 X 10-6 gm/ml.

0.1 ml of the above solution was added to test tubes containing 4.8 ml of sterilized standard nutrient broth and a control tube was prepared containing 0.1 ml of acetone and 4.8 ml of the nutrient broth. Immediately after the preparation of the various test tubes, 0.1 ml of a saline dispersion of a freshly made 24 hour old culture of Staphylococcus aureus 209 was added to each tube, the bacteria concentration of said culture was 1,000,000 organisms/ml. The tubes were allowed to stand at 37C for 18 hours and visual observations of the presence or lack of bacterial growth were made. The lowest concentration at which growth could not be observed was called the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and was expressed in parts per million (ppm).

The following table is in summary of the various samples tested:

Sample MLC number R1 R2 p.p.m.

1 4-NH2 H 1. 5 2. 3-NH2 H 0. 37 3. 3-NH2 HCI H 0. 18 4. (I-NH: 4-CH3 0. 5- 4-HC ON H H 3. 0 6. 4-CHaCONH H 1.5 7-.- 4-CHaCHzCONH H 0.37 4-CH (CH2)CONH H 6.0 9 4CHa(CH2)aC0NH H 0.37

10 OH; H 3. 0

C H-CH2C O NH 4 -0113 11 4-CH3(CH2) 4CONH H 0. 37 12-- 4-CHa(CHzg sCONH H 0. 37 13 4-CH3(CH2 uCONH H 1 l4 4-CH3(CH2)7CONH H 1 15 4-CH3(CH21HCONH H 0. 16.- 3-CH3(CH2 iuCONH H 0. 17-. 4-CH3(CH2;I2CONH H 0. 18.- 4CH3(CH2 CONE: H 0. 19.- 3 CH3(CH2)HCONH H 6 20. 3-CHa(CH2)uOONH 4CH3 0. 21.. 4-CH3(CH1)11CONH H 50 3 0 ONE 3- C ONE 3- GH2C O NH 27 MNaphthalene-l-OONH H 1. 5 28. 4-[NaphthaIene-2-CONH H 0. 37 29 4-lNaph thaleneQ-CHzC 0 NH] H 0. 37

EXAMPLE VIII The same test method as given in Example Vll was employed in this example. However, the compounds tested may be described by the following general formula:

Qompp nq 9?. I 19 fo lewi sfs myla were tested for their bactericidal and bacteriostatic qualities'by the same procedure given in Example Vll. I 19 ts yltiar ta ula ed be 9!;

In the controls that were set up for this Example as well as in Examples VII and VIII growth of the bacteria was observed to occur quite freely.

From the above Examples it is seen that the novel compounds of this invention clearly are capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi when applied in growth-inhibiting amounts to said bacteria and fungi. Moreover, while this invention has been described in detail, it is understood that there are without a doubt alternative embodiments that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, modifications are contemplated which can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. A method of controlling bacteria and fungi, which comprises contacting the same with an unsaturated sulfienwflhetq mula.

wherein R is amino, an acylamido moiety derived from a carboxylic acid in which the acyl moiety has from two to 12 carbon atoms, methyl, ethyl, chloro, bromo or nitro, and R is hydrogen or methyl; or

- SOgCH=CH-COOR,

wherein R is amino or an acylamido moiety derived from a carboxylic acid in which the acyl moiety has from two to 12 carbon atoms, R is hydrogen or methyl, and R is alkyl having from one to four carbon atoms; said sulfone being employed in an amount effective for preventing the growth of the bacteria or fungi.

2. The method of claim 1, for preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi in soil infected with the same, which comprises applying to said soil an effective amount of an unsaturated sulfone of claim 1.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is a compound of formula (1).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is a compound of formula (2).

5. The method of claim ll,'wherein the unsaturated sulfone is a compound of formula (3).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is acetamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is aminobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is 3-(p-toluenesulfonyl)acrylamide.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is acetamidobenzenesulfonylacrylamide.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is 4-methyl-3-aminobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is 4-formamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile.

12. The method of claim ll, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is 4-propionamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile.

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. Dated June 28, 1974 w Sven U.K.A. Richter I It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said'Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown be1ow:

Column 1, line 36 Delete "comma before "properties". Column 1, line 53: "a" should read (a) Column 2, line 3": :"c. should read '(c) Column 6, Table, Items 17 and 18: O.37""and 0.37" should read 0.37 and 0.37 r

Column 7, Tabl Items and 5, these lines should read as follows: a V

' 4 4-CH (CH2) -CONH H v o .37 5 4=CH3(CH'2)10 CONH 'H 0.75

Signed and sealed this 7th day of January 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:. I

v MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL 'DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner .of Patents 

2. The method of claim 1, for preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi in soil infected with the same, which comprises applying to said soil an effective amount of an unsaturated sulfone of claim
 1. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is a compound of formula (1).
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is a compound of formula (2).
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is a compound of formula (3).
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is acetamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is aminobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is 3-(p-toluenesulfonyl)acrylamide.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is acetamidobenzenesulfonylacrylamide.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is 4-methyl-3-aminobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is 4-formamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is 4-propionamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is 4-methyl-3-benzoylamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsaturated sulfone is a naphthoylamidobenzenesulfonylacrylonitrile in which R1 is (4-Naphthalene-1-COHN), (4-Naphthalene-2-CONH), or (4-Naphthalene-2-CH2CONH). 